Chinese Fire Drill

After spending the previous week begrudging the extended stay in Maggie, I was anxious to get back to Frankentruck. I called the Three Stooges to see if any repairs had been made, and should I anticipate getting him back.

Moe (shop foreman) informed me that although he, himself had witnessed the problem, the local Volvo shop could not find anything in need of repair. Therefore it was sent back to our yard untouched. However, there were a few minor needs to be addressed, such as a slow air leak and replacing the inverter. The air leak was a simple replacement of an O ring and the new inverter had been delivered.

I allowed myself to feel elated.

The installation of the inverter did not go as planned. Instead, when mounting the box, Moe inadvertently positioned the screw so that it would pierce through the auxiliary air conditioner, therefore releasing all the freon and placing Frankentruck back on the dead line for another week. I was told the new unit was ordered and would be replaced before I returned home from my next excursion. However, this left me in a dilemma. I absolutely refuse to ever be the Master and Commander of Miss Maggie Mae, ever again. That left me moving into yet another truck for this weeks adventure. The Stooges thought I may be opposed to this idea, but after the way Maggie has treated me, I was more than happy to pack up and move.

Well, not really happy about it. I wished I had been getting back into Frankentruck, but with no auxiliary air, I was WILLING to make the swap for something drivable, as Maggie is not.

The newly acquired loaner had only one thing wrong with it. A crack in the windshield. That's it! Now why should I have been opposed to borrowing it? I am not sure why the mechanics would assume that, after all, I am just looking for a decent vehicle to drive. This one had NO PROBLEMS. I made my weekly deliveries and once again phoned into the shop to inquire about the AC repair. D'oh !! It seems that possibly someone had forgotten to order it. Part delivery could happen on Friday, and I could very well be climbing back on my trusty steed come Sunday, but I am not holding my breath.

Hmmmmm, with all this truck swapping ( 4 moves in 5 weeks ) I should be getting really good at it. In fact, I think I set a record time of less than 15 minutes with the last swap. And just so you know, I do tend to over pack!! There is bedding and clothes, food, dishes, cooler, microwave, tools, paperwork, radio, entertainment (cd's and gadgets) cleaning supplies, cases of water and basic necessities that go hand in hand with pulling a flatbed. And, yes, that it just the junk I am moving from one truck to another. I do like to be prepared, even if I am only on the road for 4 days!